Packers elevate S Benny Sapp for Chargers game: What to Know

GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - AUGUST 26: Benny Sapp III #48 of the Green Bay Packers in action in the second half against the Seattle Seahawks during a preseason game at Lambeau Field on August 26, 2023 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - AUGUST 26: Benny Sapp III #48 of the Green Bay Packers in action in the second half against the Seattle Seahawks during a preseason game at Lambeau Field on August 26, 2023 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Ahead of their matchup with the Los Angeles Chargers, the Green Bay Packers announced that they elevated safety Benny Sapp from the practice squad to the game-day roster.

Sapp went undrafted this past spring out of Northern Iowa. He signed with the Packers and went through offseason programs and training camp with the team. Although there were question marks around the safety position prior to the season, it was a crowded room nonetheless, with Sapp at the bottom of that depth chart during the preseason.

Sapp played 63 defensive snaps in the preseason for Green Bay. He made four total tackles and allowed one reception on two targets for seven yards while recording one pass breakup along with an interception to secure the victory against Seattle in the finale.

Although Sapp was always a bit of a longshot to make in the initial 53-man roster, following roster cutdowns in August, he was immediately signed back to the practice squad, where he has spent the entire 2023 season up to this point.

With Darnell Savage on IR and Rudy Ford unlikely to play as he’s listed as doubtful, Jonathan Owens and Anthony Johnson will get the start at safety. Backups include special teamers Dallin Leavitt and Zayne Anderson.

Both Owens and Johnson have been special teams contributors as of late, but with each needing to play more defensive snaps on Sunday, their special teams roles are likely to be reduced, which is where Sapp comes in to provide added depth in that phase of the game.

Sapp finished his college career at UNI, having played 454 special teams snaps, according to PFF, and across a variety of phases.

Each practice squad player can be elevated up to three times to the active roster. If a team wants them available a fourth time, then that player must be signed to the 53-man roster. This is Sapp’s first elevation–he will have two more remaining following this game.

Sapp was the only elevation, although I’m not sure that gives us much insight into the statuses of Jaire Alexander, Quay Walker, and Rashan Gary, all of whom are questionable. All three of these positions already have depth on the 53-man roster that wouldn’t require an addition.

At cornerback is Kyu Blu Kelly and Robert Rochell as the fourth and fifth members of that position group. Walker has missed the last two games, and Green Bay hasn’t made an elevation with four other linebackers on the roster. While Brenton Cox would slide into the fourth edge rusher role, which is how deep the rotation has been the last few weeks.